Advantages of Semantic Search For SEO

What Is Semantic SEO?

Previously SEO was all about researching keywords and cramping them into every corner of the websites. And Google would rank these pages based on their keywords. However, the problem with that was, the pages with the appropriate keywords did not necessarily have the right content. Users did not find what they were looking for when they clicked on a page. And as a result, many people were left frustrated. 

However, the release of Google’s Hummingbird algorithm update in 2013 changed the way for ranking of pages in search results. Instead of searching for keywords, Google started to stress more on why a user searched for a topic. 

So basically, Semantic SEO means creating better content for higher rankings and not just focused on some particular keywords. This new practice comes with several benefits and advantages which we’ll be discussing below:

Improved Content

One of the most significant advantages that come with Semantic Search in SEO is improved content. The older versions of Google’s algorithm were more focused on keywords and not on the content’s quality. This method did not encourage high-quality content. However, that all changed in recent years with the introduction of Google’s Hummingbird algorithm.

The main goal of this new update was to improve user experience. And as such, only the websites that had relevant content were ranked on the search results.

So, to have better SEO rankings, content creators now had to provide high-quality content. The emphasis on keywords declined, and as such, what you get now is higher quality content.

Relevant Search Results

Another advantage of semantic SEO is improved search results. With the latest algorithm update, the results that appear had relevant content that answers what you are looking for.

The answers to a particular query are also compiled by Google, which is available on the search result page. This allows users to find their answers without having to click on a page URL. The answers are also available through short snippets that are related to the question you’ve searched.

By providing the actual answers that web users search for, semantic SEO search has improved search results by a great deal.

A More Intuitive Search

During the early days of SEO websites and pages, web users had to try several search variations to get what they were looking for. If they did not find it, they had to try another keyword over and over again. The website owners also had to find out the exact keywords used by web users. 

This was very problematic since the website owners and the users both had to determine the specific keywords. As a result, the contents that were put out online did not match the results that appeared. 

However, semantic SEO changed all that. By focusing less on the keywords and more on the overall content, web users can now easily find the content they want, with similar phrases or words without the need for particular keywords. 

Less Importance on Exact Match Keywords

By now, you must already know that semantic SEO puts less focus on keywords. But let’s be clear here, semantic SEO does not mean keyword research does not have any importance anymore. It still plays a small role in deciding the rank of a website. However, they are not as important as in the past. 

In semantic SEO, deciding on a keyword is no longer the most important part of SEO web designing. That means that web designers don’t have to spend all their time figuring out the right keywords and their combinations. They are now able to put those efforts on content quality and user experience. 

Better Flexibility

Since content creators don’t have to match the exact keywords anymore, they can add flexibility to their work. With so many alternative words and synonyms used in searches, contents can now be unique and creative.

The people who write the contents also no longer need to use specific keywords while constructing a sentence. This makes it much easier to write a better and more creative content.

Thus semantic SEO is beneficial for both content creators and web users. Both parties have a better understanding of each other, improving the overall user experience of a site.

Optimized For User Value

The goal of semantic SEO is to provide optimum user experience by providing solutions to their questions. Hence, SEO websites must put in more effort and time to optimize their content and make it more relevant to what the users are looking for. And as such, stress is on the value of a user when it comes to effort.

User value was not really present in the early days of SEO. The content writers put all of their efforts and focus on pleasing Google’s outdated algorithm so that they can rank on the first page of the search results. But now they have to focus on what the users are looking for and not on the keywords which they might use. 

However, without the use of keywords, it can be quite challenging for websites to find out what the users are looking for. But that is quite impossible since the wording used by web users varies from one another. And so, websites are better off creating content that is suitable for a broader audience.

Conclusion

With all the advantages of semantic SEO, we can see why it is essential for both website owners and its users. Semantic SEO does involve a lot more time and effort, but it is also very rewarding. It provides a better user experience in the end, which is the ultimate goal.